from collegefootbalnews.com:
1. Miami
The only concern is with a run defense that was surprisingly soft last year allowing 155 yards per game. If that's tightened up, which it should be thanks to one of Miami's best linebacking corps in a long time, this will be a killer D with 11 players returning who started six or more games last year. That doesn't include superstar Devin Hester, who'll likely taking over the full-time job at one of the corners.
2. Penn State
The nation's tenth best defense and fifth best scoring D should be even better with almost all the parts returning and FS Chris Harrell coming back after missing all of last year with a neck injury. The defense didn't allow more than 21 points per game coming up with a shockingly good season. The corners will be among the best in the nation as will the starting linebackers. Overall depth and a lights-out pass rusher are the slight weaknesses, but that's nitpicking.
3. Alabama
Nine starters return to a defense that finished last season number two in the nation in total defense and seventh in scoring allowing 15.75 points and 245.5 yards per game. Only injury can prevent a repeat as the D gets even better with Wallace Gilberry taking over a full-time role at defensive end and the linebacking corps reshuffling to be even more productive. The secondary doesn't have any All-Americans, but it'll be in the team photo of the nation's best. The only thing missing is depth in the back seven.
4. Tennessee
Eight starters (and that doesn't include LB Kevin Simon) return to a defense that will be among the best in America. If Simon's injured knee is fine, the front seven will finish among the top five in the country and will be one of the leaders in sacks and quarterback hurries. The secondary finished last in the SEC last year, but there will be a big turnaround with the freshmen starters of last year now seasoned veterans. The cornerbacks will be outstanding with former safety Jason Allen a sure Thorpe Award candidate.
5. Ohio State
Nine starters return to a defense that was its typical bend-but-rarely-break self for most of the year, but it has to deal with defensive coordinator Mark Snyder moving on to take the Marshall head coaching gig. The nation's best linebacking corps leads the way with A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, Anthony Schlegel and Mike D'Andrea all sure to be making a ton of dough next year at this time. The secondary will be solid if it can find a second corner across from Ashton Youboty, and the line will be good if it can find a killer pass rusher.
6. Auburn
All eyes will be on new defensive coordinator David Gibbs and if he can keep Auburn number one in the nation in scoring defense and in the top five in total D. As a former secondary coach for the Denver Broncos, Gibbs will be a big help to the defensive backs; the one area that needs a bit of help after losing Carlos Rogers and Junior Rosegreen. The front seven will be tremendous with a frighteningly good front four and an emerging linebacking corps. This will be an aggressive defense that'll crank out around 40 sacks helped most by ends Stanley McClover and Quentin Groves.
7. LSU
The nation's third-ranked defense only loses four starters, but they're big ones (DE Marcus Spears, LB Lionel Turner, CBs Corey Webster and Travis Daniels). The corners will be fine thanks to Colorado transfer Sammy Joseph, while the pass rush will take care of itself with all four starting linemen able to get into the backfield. The linebacking corps isn't flashy, but it's solid. Led by former Nebraska and Oklahoma defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, don't expect any sort of drop-off from the Nick Saban era.
8. Georgia Tech
It'll be a shock if this isn't one of the nation's best defenses. Eight starters (Ten if you include DT Mansfield Wright who moved to offensive guard and CB Dennis Davis who returns from shoulder problems) come back from a defense that was a brick wall against the run and only allowed 18.9 points per game. The defensive front is tremendous with four starters who can do it all and four reserves ready to step into the rotation. Gerris Wilkinson leads a good linebacking corps that's missing experienced depth. The secondary will be better than ever with Chris Reis moving from linebacker to safety and Davis returning to man the corner spot opposite of Reuben Houston.
9. Texas
Nine starters return, but the two losses are huge with Derrick Johnson off to the Kansas City Chiefs and coordinator Greg Robinson off to coach the Syracuse Orange. Gene Chizik comes over from Auburn and should do a great job combining with Duane Akina. Even with the loss of the nation's best defensive player, the defense will be better led by tackles Rodrique Wright and Larry Dibbles anchoring a phenomenal line that should shoot for 25 sacks. Outside linebacker is a bit of a question mark, but Aaron Harris is a good man in the middle to work around. The secondary is rock solid.
10. Florida State
The linebacking corps is among the best in America and safety Pat Watkins is a first round draft pick, but the rest of the defense is a major question mark after finishing seventh in the nation and fourth in scoring defense. The loss of rising star NG Clifton Dickson to academic problems and CB Antonio Cromartie to a knee injury is a huge hit for the rest of the D. The secondary will turn out to be fine if the star recruits of last year can quickly progress.
1. Miami
The only concern is with a run defense that was surprisingly soft last year allowing 155 yards per game. If that's tightened up, which it should be thanks to one of Miami's best linebacking corps in a long time, this will be a killer D with 11 players returning who started six or more games last year. That doesn't include superstar Devin Hester, who'll likely taking over the full-time job at one of the corners.
2. Penn State
The nation's tenth best defense and fifth best scoring D should be even better with almost all the parts returning and FS Chris Harrell coming back after missing all of last year with a neck injury. The defense didn't allow more than 21 points per game coming up with a shockingly good season. The corners will be among the best in the nation as will the starting linebackers. Overall depth and a lights-out pass rusher are the slight weaknesses, but that's nitpicking.
3. Alabama
Nine starters return to a defense that finished last season number two in the nation in total defense and seventh in scoring allowing 15.75 points and 245.5 yards per game. Only injury can prevent a repeat as the D gets even better with Wallace Gilberry taking over a full-time role at defensive end and the linebacking corps reshuffling to be even more productive. The secondary doesn't have any All-Americans, but it'll be in the team photo of the nation's best. The only thing missing is depth in the back seven.
4. Tennessee
Eight starters (and that doesn't include LB Kevin Simon) return to a defense that will be among the best in America. If Simon's injured knee is fine, the front seven will finish among the top five in the country and will be one of the leaders in sacks and quarterback hurries. The secondary finished last in the SEC last year, but there will be a big turnaround with the freshmen starters of last year now seasoned veterans. The cornerbacks will be outstanding with former safety Jason Allen a sure Thorpe Award candidate.
5. Ohio State
Nine starters return to a defense that was its typical bend-but-rarely-break self for most of the year, but it has to deal with defensive coordinator Mark Snyder moving on to take the Marshall head coaching gig. The nation's best linebacking corps leads the way with A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, Anthony Schlegel and Mike D'Andrea all sure to be making a ton of dough next year at this time. The secondary will be solid if it can find a second corner across from Ashton Youboty, and the line will be good if it can find a killer pass rusher.
6. Auburn
All eyes will be on new defensive coordinator David Gibbs and if he can keep Auburn number one in the nation in scoring defense and in the top five in total D. As a former secondary coach for the Denver Broncos, Gibbs will be a big help to the defensive backs; the one area that needs a bit of help after losing Carlos Rogers and Junior Rosegreen. The front seven will be tremendous with a frighteningly good front four and an emerging linebacking corps. This will be an aggressive defense that'll crank out around 40 sacks helped most by ends Stanley McClover and Quentin Groves.
7. LSU
The nation's third-ranked defense only loses four starters, but they're big ones (DE Marcus Spears, LB Lionel Turner, CBs Corey Webster and Travis Daniels). The corners will be fine thanks to Colorado transfer Sammy Joseph, while the pass rush will take care of itself with all four starting linemen able to get into the backfield. The linebacking corps isn't flashy, but it's solid. Led by former Nebraska and Oklahoma defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, don't expect any sort of drop-off from the Nick Saban era.
8. Georgia Tech
It'll be a shock if this isn't one of the nation's best defenses. Eight starters (Ten if you include DT Mansfield Wright who moved to offensive guard and CB Dennis Davis who returns from shoulder problems) come back from a defense that was a brick wall against the run and only allowed 18.9 points per game. The defensive front is tremendous with four starters who can do it all and four reserves ready to step into the rotation. Gerris Wilkinson leads a good linebacking corps that's missing experienced depth. The secondary will be better than ever with Chris Reis moving from linebacker to safety and Davis returning to man the corner spot opposite of Reuben Houston.
9. Texas
Nine starters return, but the two losses are huge with Derrick Johnson off to the Kansas City Chiefs and coordinator Greg Robinson off to coach the Syracuse Orange. Gene Chizik comes over from Auburn and should do a great job combining with Duane Akina. Even with the loss of the nation's best defensive player, the defense will be better led by tackles Rodrique Wright and Larry Dibbles anchoring a phenomenal line that should shoot for 25 sacks. Outside linebacker is a bit of a question mark, but Aaron Harris is a good man in the middle to work around. The secondary is rock solid.
10. Florida State
The linebacking corps is among the best in America and safety Pat Watkins is a first round draft pick, but the rest of the defense is a major question mark after finishing seventh in the nation and fourth in scoring defense. The loss of rising star NG Clifton Dickson to academic problems and CB Antonio Cromartie to a knee injury is a huge hit for the rest of the D. The secondary will turn out to be fine if the star recruits of last year can quickly progress.
